The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) reaffirmed its commitment to continue the modernization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), assuring the public that allegations of corruption will not derail the project’s progress.
In a statement, NNIC General Manager Lito Alvarez dismissed the accusations made by the group Puso ng NAIA, which claimed the ₱1.5-trillion public-private partnership (PPP) project was “full of scandal and clearly tainted with corruption.”
“Nakakatawa ’yan,” Alvarez said, stressing that the company has already released ₱3.25 billion, part of its total ₱72-billion investment for the airport’s ongoing upgrade.
The group earlier alleged that no major improvements have been made at NAIA and that passengers were instead burdened with “excessive charges.”
Alvarez countered this, highlighting that 283,771 flights have been handled over the past year, serving 51.7 million passengers — 2.9 million more than the same period last year, showing operational progress under the modernization initiative.
He also rejected claims that the PPP arrangement was “tailored to favor” San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and its President and CEO, Ramon S. Ang.
According to Alvarez, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) conducted a competitive bidding process, not a negotiated deal. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the PPP Center supervised every stage, from proposal to award, ensuring transparency and accountability.
SMC secured the project after offering the highest government revenue share of 82.16%, on top of meeting all technical and financial requirements.
The NNIC, formed by SMC to oversee the modernization, has already remitted ₱52 billion to the government in just over a year — including an initial ₱30-billion advance payment.
Under the PPP agreement, 82.16% of NAIA’s revenue goes directly to the government, while 17.84% remains with NNIC to fund the ₱1.5-trillion redevelopment plan.
Alvarez concluded that despite the unfounded accusations, the company remains focused on delivering a world-class, efficient, and modern airport for the Filipino public.